Social Cognitive Theory

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Introduction Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too (What is Breast Cancer, 2015). The purpose of this evaluation is to introduce the audience to breast cancer; discuss risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis; address the mind- body connection of breast cancer and suggestions for prevention and treatment; and provide an overview of breast cancer in social cognitive theory framework. Lastly, one alternative intervention for breast cancer will be highlighted in accordance with the social cognitive …show more content…

According to the Social Cognitive Theory, changing a behavior is a function of individual characteristics: a person’s sense of self efficacy about the new behavior, their confidence and overcoming barriers. The person’s behavioral capability, expectations and expectancies, their level of self-control and emotional coping ability; environmental factors: the social and physical environment surrounding individuals. The behavior of others (“modeling”) and the consequences of that behavior, which result in vicarious learning. The situation in which the behavior takes place, and perceptions of the situation by individuals. Reinforcements (negative or positive) that are given to individuals in response to the behavior; the interactive process of reciprocal determinism where a person acts based on individual factors and social/environmental cues, receives a response from that environment, adjust behavior, acts again and so on (Edberg, 2015). Ensuring that patients receive social skills training, self-efficacy boost, an educational component and vicarious learning is in alignment with the social cognitive theory. Unfortunately, there are certain regions that suffer from health and socioeconomic disparities that lead to extraordinarily poor health outcomes that would benefit from the implementation of the social cognitive …show more content…

The program would target African American women because despite lower breast cancer incidence, they typically experience increased mortality as compared to Caucasian women. This can be attributed to African American women’s lower rates of mammography screening and tendency for later stage diagnosis. Breast cancer screening rates are also lower amongst women in rural areas, women of lower socioeconomic status, and women without health insurance coverage. The program would implement the utilization of lay health advisors (LHAs) to promote breast cancer screenings which is evidence-based and research tested. The LHAs will conduct culturally-appropriate small group educational sessions (10-15 women) and promote the program at intercept sites (i.e. grocery store, shopping center, etc.). A small media campaign will be simultaneously implemented, emphasizing the importance of screening and the availability of no-cost services for eligible women. The program will reduce access barriers by contracting with local partners (mobile detection unit) and evaluated by tracking and documenting the number of targeted women reached through education and outreach efforts, their change in knowledge (pre/post test) after exposure to the educational session, and the number of eligible women who take

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